Calendar year 2018 sales from the New Zealand Plant Breeding and Research Association show more than 9500 tonnes of branded, proprietary pasture seed were sold.
That is up 6% on 2017 and the strongest sales year on record.
Of the 12 million hectares of pastoral land in NZ, 642,000ha of pasture was sown in 2018, translating into a pasture renewal rate of about 5.3%.
Proprietary seed that comes with built-in technological advances to increase performance is increasingly recognised as one of the best investments farmers can make in their land, association president Barry McCarter said.
“This is the highest quality seed you can buy.
“As well as its advanced performance attributes, it’s certified, which means it has been grown under regulatory supervision, has passed inspection for purity and germination and is fully traceable.”
Ryegrass and clover dominate the forage seeds category.
Most of the seed is produced by specialist growers in Canterbury with more than 15,000ha grown throughout the country.
Different ryegrass types make up 86% of grass seed sales by volume while white clover comprises 7% of the legume sales by volume and lucerne sales 2%.
McCarter said NZ pasture seed development is underpinned by intensive and local Crown research institute, university and private breeding programmes.
Breeders are focused on delivering new genetics and traits for sale both domestically and for export.
Seed breeding and development can take up to 10 years and cost up to $1m before a new cultivar is ready for the commercial market.
“The varieties and seed technologies farmers use is more important than ever and proprietary seed is reliable and high-performing for long-term success.
“There are many variables with seed selection and proprietary seed is genetically superior to older, public domain varieties and the degenerating quality of farm-saved or farm-traded seed. The latter is of course illegal under the Plant Variety Rights Act,” McCarter said.
